Hair styling device

ABSTRACT

A hair styling device for twirling locks of hair together including a main body, and at least two hair grabbers for respectively grabbing separate locks of hair. Each of the hair grabbers is connected to respective hair twisters, and each of the hair twisters rotates respective locks of hair to form twists of hair. The device further comprises a hair twist rotator body connected to each of the hair grabbers. The hair twist rotator body is connected to and rotatable relative to the main body. Rotation of the hair twist rotator body cables the twists of hair to form a cord of hair. The hair grabbers are substantially stationary relative to the hair twist rotator when the hair twist rotator rotates relative to the main body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/498,414 filed Feb. 04, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to devices for styling hair, andmore particularly to an apparatus for twirling locks of hair together.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] There are numerous methods of styling hair. One such methodincludes curling locks of hair. Devices for curling locks of hair areknown in the art, including hand-operated hair curlers, as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 2,785,689 to Trabish and U.S. Pat. No. 2,118,920 toGentile.

[0006] Another hair styling technique is braiding, which hastraditionally been the process of interweaving three or more strands ofhair in a diagonal overlapping pattern. The completed braid extends froma starting position near the scalp to the end of the hair, where it maybe prevented from unraveling with a device such as a clip or arubberband. Many attempts have been made to assist individuals in thebraiding of hair. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,996 to Eronini, etal. discloses a portable hair braider which is motor operated and uses aplurality of foot members as hair parters for dividing hair over apredetermined width of the scalp. Hair grippers clamp the parted hairand rotate the strands, forming a braid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,795 toHibbard discloses another hair braiding apparatus, in which a pluralityof rings are utilized to interweave two strands of hair in between andthrough the plurality of rings to accomplish a braid.

[0007] While many devices are known in the prior art for styling hair,there is a need for an improved device for twisting locks of hairtogether without forming a braid. Accordingly, it is an object of theinvention is to provide a hair styling device that assists with thetwirling together of two or more locks of hair.

[0008] It is another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling device which will be suitable for use by hair stylists.

[0009] It is still a further object of the invention is to provide ahair styling device which will be suitable for use as a child's toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A hair styling device for twirling locks of hair together,according to an embodiment of the invention, includes a main body and atleast two hair grabbers for respectively grabbing separate locks ofhair. Each of the hair grabbers can be connected to respective hairtwisters, and each of the hair twisters rotates respective locks of hairto form twists of hair. The device further comprises a hair twistrotator body connected to each of the hair grabbers. The hair twistrotator body can be connected to and rotatable relative to the mainbody. Rotation of the hair twist rotator body cables the twists of hairto form a cord of hair. The hair grabbers are substantially stationaryrelative to the hair twist rotator when the hair twist rotator rotatesrelative to the main body.

[0011] Each hair grabber can include a hook which is positionablebetween a release position and a grabbing position, and a retractor formoving the hook between the release position and the grabbing position.The retractor can be a spring. The device can also include a hairgrabber body, and the hook can be recessed within a slot in the hairgrabber body.

[0012] The hair twisters can synchronously rotate. The device canfurther include a shaft which is connected to each hair twister.Rotation of the shaft can impart motion to the hair twisters which, inturn, can cause the hair twisters to rotate the hair grabbers.

[0013] The device according to the invention can also include a maingear connected to the shaft and a grabber gear connected to each of thehair twisters. Rotation of the shaft can impart motion to the main gear,rotation of the main gear can impart motion to each grabber gear, andmotion of each grabber gear can cause the hair twisters to rotate thehair grabbers. The device can also have a first clutch which preventsrotation of the main gear and the grabber gears while the hair twistrotator body rotates relative to the main body. Idler gears may bepositioned between the main gear and the grabber gear.

[0014] The hair twist rotator body can hold the hair twisters. Thedevice can also have an energy storage structure. Release of energy fromthe energy storage structure can rotate the hair twist rotator bodyrelative to the main body. The energy storage structure can include anelastic loop having a first position coupled to the shaft. Additionally,the energy storage structure can have a reel mounted on the shaft, and alength of cord wound at least partially around the reel. In thisarrangement, pulling the cord rotates the shaft, causing energy to bestored in the energy storage structure. Alternatively, the energystorage structure can be a motor. In either arrangement, the device canhave a second clutch which prevents rotation of the hair twist rotatorbody while energy is being stored in the energy storage structure.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, a hair styling device fortwirling locks of hair together includes a main body and hair grabbersfor respectively grabbing separate locks of hair. Each of the hairgrabbers can have a hair grabber body, a hook positionable between arelease position and a grabbing position, and a retractor for moving thehook between the release position and the grabbing position. Each of thehair grabbers can be connected to respective hair twisters, and eachhair twister can rotate the respective locks of hair to form twists ofhair. The device further includes a shaft connected to each of the hairtwisters. Rotation of the shaft imparts motion to the hair twisters, andthis motion causes the hair twisters to rotate the hair grabbers. A hairtwist rotator body is connected to each of the hair grabbers, and isconnected to and rotatable relative to the main body. Rotation of thehair twist rotator body cables the twists of hair to form a cord ofhair. The hair grabbers are substantially stationary relative to thehair twist rotator body when the hair twist rotator body rotatesrelative to the main body.

[0016] In this embodiment, the device can further include a main gearconnected to the shaft and a grabber gear connected to each of the hairtwisters, so that rotation of the shaft imparts motion to the main gear,rotation of the main gear imparts motion to each grabber gear, andmotion of each grabber gear causes the hair twisters to rotate thegrabbers. The device can also have a first clutch which preventsrotation of the main gear and the grabber gears while the hair twistrotator body rotates relative to the main body. The device can alsoinclude idler gears positioned between the main gear and each grabbergear.

[0017] A hair styling device for twirling locks of hair together,according to another embodiment of the invention, includes a main bodyand at least two hair grabbers for respectively grabbing separate locksof hair. Each of the hair grabbers has a hair grabber body, a hookpositionable between a release position and a grabbing position, and aretractor for moving the hook between the release position and thegrabbing position. In addition, each of the hair grabbers can beconnected to respective hair twisters, and each hair twister rotates therespective locks of hair to form twists of hair. The device also has ashaft connected to each of the hair twisters. Rotation of the shaftimparts motion to the hair twisters, and this motion causes the hairtwisters to rotate the hair grabbers. A hair twist rotator body holdsthe hair twisters, and is connected to and rotatable relative to themain body. Rotation of the hair twist rotator body cables the twists ofhair to form a cord of hair. The device also has an energy storagestructure. Release of energy from the energy storage structure rotatesthe hair twist rotator body relative to the main body. The hair grabbersare substantially stationary relative to the hair twist rotator bodywhen the hair twist rotator body rotates relative to the main body.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, a hair stylingdevice for twirling locks of hair together includes a main body, and atleast two hair grabbers for respectively grabbing separate locks ofhair. The hair grabbers are connected to respective hair twisters, andthe hair twisters rotate respective locks of hair to form twists ofhair. A shaft is connected to each of the hair twisters. Rotation of theshaft imparts motion to the hair twisters, and this motion causes thehair twisters to rotate the hair grabbers. A hair twist rotator bodyholds the hair twisters, and is connected to and rotatable relative tothe main body. Rotation of the hair twist rotator body cables the twistsof hair to form a cord of hair. The device can also include an energystorage structure. Release of energy from the energy storage structurerotates the hair twist rotator body relative to the main body. The hairgrabbers are substantially stationary relative to the hair twist rotatorbody when the hair twist rotator body rotates relative to the main body.

[0019] According to this embodiment of the invention, the device canalso include a main gear connected to the shaft and a grabber gearconnected to each of the hair twisters. Rotation of the shaft impartsmotion to the main gear, rotation of the main gear imparts motion toeach grabber gear, and motion of each grabber gear causes the hairtwisters to rotate the hair grabbers. The device can have a first clutchwhich prevents rotation of the main gear and the grabber gears while thehair twist rotator body rotates relative to the main body. Idler gearscan be positioned between the main gear and each grabber gear.

[0020] The energy storage structure can be a reversible motor.Alternatively, the energy storage structure can include an elastic loophaving a first portion coupled to the shaft, a reel mounted on theshaft, and a length of cord wound at least partially around the reel.Pulling the length of cord rotates the shaft, causing energy to bestored in the energy storage structure. In either arrangement, thedevice can also have a second clutch which prevents rotation of the hairtwist rotator body while energy is being stored in the energy storagestructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] There are presently shown in the drawings embodiments which arepresently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention isnot limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown,wherein:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair styling device according tothe invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of hair grabbing, twisting,and rotating components of the invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of hair rotating componentsof the invention.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one operating position of theinvention.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2,showing operation of hair twisting components according to theinvention.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second operating positionof the invention.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hair styling device according toan alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a hair styling device 10 according to the invention.The device 10 acts to twirl locks of hair together. The presentlypreferred device 10 includes two or more hair grabbers 12, 14 forgrabbing separate locks of hair. Each of the hair grabbers 12, 14 can beconnected to one or more hair twisters 16, 18. The hair twisters 16, 18rotate locks of hair being held by hair grabbers 12, 14, formingseparate twists of hair.

[0031] The hair twisters 16, 18 can be connected to a hair twist rotatorbody 20. The hair twist rotator body 20 can rotate the hair grabbers 12,14 directly. Alternatively, the hair twist rotator body 20 can rotatethe hair twisters 16, 18, and rotation of the hair twisters 16, 18 cancause the attached hair grabbers 12, 14 to rotate. In eitherarrangement, rotation of the hair twist rotator body 20 can cable thetwists of hair to form a cord of hair.

[0032] The hair twist rotator body 20 can be connected to a main body22, and is preferably rotatably connected to the main body 22. The hairgrabbers 12, 14 preferably remain substantially stationary relative tothe hair twist rotator body 20 when the hair twist rotator body 20rotates relative to the main body 22. The main body 22 can be configuredfor gripping by the hand of a user of the device 10.

[0033] The hair grabbers 12, 14 can be any device suitable for grabbinghair, such as a clip, clasp, or fastener. As shown in FIG. 2, however,each of the hair grabbers 12, 14 is preferably a hook. Each hair grabber12, 14 can reside in a slot 24, 26 within respective hair twisters 16,18. The hair grabbers 12, 14 are positionable between a release positionand a grabbing position. In FIG. 2, the hair grabbers are shown in thegrabbing position.

[0034] Retractors 28, 30 can be used to move the hair grabbers 12, 14between the release position and the grabbing position. The retractors28, 30 can be any structure suitable for moving the hair grabbers 12,14, but are preferably springs. Support rods 32, 34 which assist withthe movement of the hair grabbers 12, 14 between the release andgrabbing positions can be located proximate to the retractors 28, 30.

[0035] The hair twisters 16, 18 are preferably connected to a rotatableshaft 36. The shaft 36 can be mounted to the hair twist rotator body 20with any suitable mounting structure 38, such as a screw, bolt, or pin.Rotation of the shaft 36 can impart motion to the hair twisters 16, 18.This movement of the hair twisters 16, 18 can cause the hair twisters16, 18 to rotate the hair grabbers 12, 14.

[0036] A main gear 40 can be connected to the shaft 36 in any suitablemanner, and is preferably mounted on the shaft 36. A grabber gear 42, 44can be connected to each hair twister 16, 18. In the presently preferredembodiment, a grabber gear 42, 44 is mounted on each hair twister 16,18. The main gear 40 and grabber gears 42, 44 can be operativelyconnected so that rotation of the shaft 36 imparts rotation to the maingear 40 and rotation of the main gear 40 imparts rotation to the grabbergears 42, 44. In this arrangement, motion of the grabber gears 42, 44can cause the hair twisters 16, 18 to rotate the hair grabbers 12, 14.

[0037] Idler gears 46, 48 can be positioned between the main gear 40 andeach of the grabber gears 42, 44. The idler gears 46, 48 can assist withthe rotation of the main gear 40 and the grabber gears 42, 44 in a firstdirection while the idler gears 46, 48 rotate in a second direction. Asshown in FIG. 3, each idler gear 46, 48 can be connected to an idlergear shaft 50, 52. A portion of the idler gear shafts 50, 52 can residewithin recesses 54, 56 in an inner wall of the hair twist rotator body20. However, the invention is not limited in that regard. Similarly, aportion of the support rods 32, 34 may also reside within recesses 58,60 in the inner wall of the hair twist rotator body 20.

[0038] In the presently preferred embodiment, a gear clutch 56 islocated proximate to the main gear 40, and may be connected to the lowerportion of the main gear 40. The gear clutch 56 can prevent rotation ofthe main gear 40, the grabber gears 42, 44, and the idler gears 46, 48while the hair twist rotator body 20 rotates relative to the main body22.

[0039] Referring again to FIG. 2, the device 10 has energy storagestructure which rotates the hair twist rotator body 20 relative to themain body 22. Any energy storage structure suitable for causing thisrotation is acceptable. In a preferred embodiment, the energy storagestructure includes an elastic loop 62, which can be twisted in order tostore energy. The elastic loop 62 can have a first portion which isconnected to a first coupling structure 64 on the shaft 36. The firstcoupling structure 64 is preferably located at one end of the shaft 36,however, the invention is not limited in that regard. The elastic loop62 can also be attached to a second coupling structure 65. The secondcoupling structure 65 may be attached to an inner wall of the main body22.

[0040] In the presently preferred embodiment, the energy storagestructure also includes a reel 66 connected to the shaft 36. Preferably,the reel 66 is mounted on the shaft 36. A length of cord 68 can be woundat least partially around the reel 66. The cord 68 may be formed fromany material suitable for acting as a draw string, including string orfishing wire. A pull ring 70 can be attached to the cord 68 to assistthe user with extending the cord 68. In this arrangement, pulling thecord 68 rotates the shaft 36, causing the elastic loop 62 to twist.Twisting of the elastic loop 62 stores energy which can be released byallowing the cord 68 to retract to its initial position.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the device 10 can have a hair twistrotator body clutch 72 which prevents rotation of the hair twist rotatorbody 20 while energy is being stored. For example, according to anembodiment of the invention, the hair twist rotator body clutch 72 canprevent the hair twist rotator body 20 from rotating while the cord 68is being pulled and the elastic loop 62 is being twisted.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the operation of the device 10according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described.In FIG. 5, each hair grabber 12, 14 is grasping a lock of hair. Inaddition, the pull ring 70 has been pulled, causing the elastic loop 62to become twisted, the cord 68 to be at least partially unwound from thereel 66, and the shaft 36 to rotate. As shown in FIG. 6, rotation of theshaft 36 imparts motion to the main gear 40, rotation of the main gear40 imparts motion to each idler gear 46, 48, and rotation of each idlergear imparts motion to each grabber gear 42, 44.

[0043] Referring again to FIG. 5, the motion of each grabber gear 42, 44causes the hair twisters 16, 18 to rotate, imparting rotation to thehair grabbers 12, 14. Rotation of the hair grabbers 16, 18 formsseparate twists of hair. The hair twist rotator body clutch 72 preventsthe hair twist rotator body 20 from rotating while the hair grabbers 12,14 and the hair twisters 16, 18 are rotating.

[0044] In FIG. 7, the pull ring 70 has been released, causing theelastic loop 62 to untwist and the cord 68 to wind more completelyaround the reel 66. The untwisting of the elastic loop 62 rotates thehair twist rotator body 20 relative to the main body 22. The gear clutch56 prevents rotation of the main gear 40, the grabber gears 42, 44, andthe idler gear 46, 48 while the hair twist rotator body 20 rotatesrelative to the main body 22. Rotation of the hair twist rotator body 20cables the twists of hair to form a cord of hair.

[0045]FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, in whichthe energy storage structure can be any electrical motor 74, including areversible motor. The motor 74 may be driven by any suitable powergenerator 76, including a battery or a cord connection to a 120 volt ora 240 volt electrical outlet.

[0046] It should be understood that the examples and embodimentsdescribed herein are for illustrative purposes only and that variousmodifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to personsskilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purviewof this application. The invention can take other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair styling device for twirling locks of hairtogether, comprising: a handle; at least two hair twisters forrespectively holding separate locks of hair, each said hair twisterrotating the respective locks of hair in a first direction to formtwists of hair; a hair twist rotator means connected to each of said atleast two hair twisters, said hair twist rotator means connected to androtatable relative to said handle; and a motor, release of energy fromsaid motor rotating said hair twist rotator means relative to saidhandle in a second direction opposite to said first direction, wherebyrotation of said hair twist rotator means cables the twists of hair toform a cord of hair.
 2. The device according to claim 1 having two hairtwisters.
 3. The device according to claim 1 , comprising a hair grabberconnected to each said hair twister.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein each of said at least two hair grabbers comprises a hookpositionable between a release position and a grabbing position.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 3 , wherein each of said at least two hairgrabbers comprises a hair grabber body and a hook positionable between arelease position and a grabbing position, wherein said hook is recessedwithin a slot in said hair grabber body.
 6. The device according toclaim 3 , wherein each of said at least two hair grabbers comprises ahook positionable between a release position and a grabbing position,and a retractor for moving the hook between the release position and thegrabbing position.
 7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein saidretractor is a spring.
 8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein saidhair twisters synchronously rotate.
 9. The device according to claim 1 ,further comprising a shaft connected to each of said hair twisters,wherein rotation of said shaft imparts motion to said hair twisters,whereby said motion causes said hair twisters to rotate said at leasttwo hair grabbers.
 10. The device according to claim 9 , furthercomprising a main gear connected to said shaft and a grabber gearconnected to each of said hair twisters, wherein rotation of said shaftimparts motion to said main gear, rotation of said main gear impartsmotion to each said grabber gear, and motion of each said grabber gearcauses said hair twisters to rotate.
 11. The device according to claim10 , further comprising a first clutch which prevents rotation of saidmain gear and each said grabber gear while said hair twist rotator bodyrotates relative to said handle.
 12. The device according to claim 10 ,further comprising idler gears positioned between said main gear andeach said grabber gear.
 13. The device according to claim 1 , whereinsaid hair twist rotator body holds said hair twisters.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 1 , further comprising a second clutch which preventsrotation of said hair twist rotator body while energy is being stored insaid motor.
 15. The device of claim 1 , further comprising gearstructure to cause rotation of said hair grabbers in said firstdirection and rotation of said twist rotator body relative to saidhandle in said second direction.
 16. The device of claim 1 , whereinsaid motor rotates said hair twisters in said first direction.
 17. Thedevice of claim 16 , further comprising a switch to select betweenrotation of said hair grabbers in said first direction and rotation ofsaid twist rotator body relative to said handle in said seconddirection.
 18. A hair styling device for twirling locks of hairtogether, comprising: a handle; at least two hair twisters forrespectively holding separate locks of hair, each said hair twisterrotating the respective locks of hair in a first direction to formtwists of hair; a hair twist rotator means connected to each of said atleast two hair grabbers, said hair twist rotator means connected to androtatable relative to said handle in a second direction opposite to saidfirst direction; and an energy storage structure, wherein rotation ofthe hair twisters in said first direction stores energy in said energystorage structure and release of energy from said energy storagestructure rotates said hair twist rotator means in said seconddirection, whereby rotation of said hair twist rotator means cables thetwists of hair to form a cord of hair.
 19. The device according to claim18 , having two hair twisters.
 20. The device according to claim 18 ,comprising a hair grabber connected to each said hair twister.
 21. Thedevice according to claim 20 wherein each of said at least two hairgrabbers comprises a hook positionable between a release position and agrabbing position.
 22. The device according to claim 20 wherein each ofsaid at least two hair grabbers comprises a hair grabber body and a hookpositionable between a release position and a grabbing position, whereinsaid hook is recessed within a slot in said hair grabber body.
 23. Thedevice according to claim 20 , wherein each of said at least two hairgrabbers comprises a hook positionable between a release position and agrabbing position, and a retractor for moving the hook between therelease position and the grabbing position.
 24. The device according toclaim 23 , wherein said retractor is a spring.
 25. The device accordingto claim 18 , wherein said hair twisters synchronously rotate.
 26. Thedevice according to claim 18 , further comprising a shaft connected toeach of said hair twisters, wherein rotation of said shaft impartsmotion to said hair twisters, whereby said motion causes said hairtwisters to rotate said at least two hair twisters.
 27. The deviceaccording to claim 26 , further comprising a main gear connected to saidshaft and a grabber gear connected to each of said hair twisters,wherein rotation of said shaft imparts motion to said main gear,rotation of said main gear imparts motion to each said grabber gear, andmotion of each said grabber gear causes said hair twisters to rotatesaid at least two hair twisters.
 28. The device according to claim 27 ,further comprising a first clutch which prevents rotation of said maingear and each said grabber gear while said hair twist rotator meansrotates relative to said handle.
 29. The device according to claim 27 ,further comprising idler gears positioned between said main gear andeach said grabber gear.
 30. The device according to claim 18 , whereinsaid hair twist rotator body holds said hair twisters.
 31. The deviceaccording to claim 18 , further comprising a second clutch whichprevents rotation of said hair twist rotator body while energy is beingstored in said motor.
 32. The device of claim 18 , further comprisinggear structure to cause rotation of said hair grabbers in said firstdirection and rotation of said twist rotator body relative to saidhandle in said second direction.
 33. The device according to claim 18 ,wherein said energy storage structure is an elastic loop.
 34. The deviceaccording to claim 33 , wherein said elastic loop has a first portioncoupled to said shaft, a reel mounted on said shaft, and a length ofcord wound at least partially around said reel, wherein pulling saidlength of cord rotates said shaft, whereby energy is stored in saidelastic loop.